Friends and family,
Emily and I have had a busy month becoming full-time foster parents, putting on our first City on a Hill Church Brighton event, and hosting a volunteer team from a partner church. Our daily lives are filled with lots of time with people both in and out of the church and we can't believe we are just a couple months away of celebrating our first year in Boston. We have certainly settled into a routine and we look forward to the many opportunities ahead!
See How God Worked Last Month!
1. Baptizing our First College Student
Earlier this month, I had the privilege of baptizing one of our college students, Shelby Grasso! Shelby is a true example of when a neighbor turns into a friend who turns into family. Shelby became a believer several years ago but hadn't yet been baptized. After a conversation during one of our Community Group meetings, Shelby spoke to us about her desire to be baptized. We had many personal conversations in our home, car, running errands, and even over a vacation to detail what baptism meant as a symbol of the good news of Jesus and why it is important (a picture to the world of what Jesus has done for us and an opportunity for the church to celebrate and come alongside of her in her faith). Shelby knew that she had come to know Jesus personally through faith alone by God's grace alone and shared her testimony before City on a Hill Church on June 3 of just that! We had a great time celebrating what Jesus did for her through the symbolism of baptism.
2. Parkwood Volunteer Team
Celebrating Tom's birthday with some neighbors and our volunteer team
Parkwood Church in North Carolina has been one of our many great partner churches. Partner churches help support us financially as well as with resources, including extra hands to complete projects that would otherwise remain unfinished. This particular volunteer team helped complete artwork/props for our Kids Summer Adventure, pass out flyers for our Movie in the Park, set up and tear down of the Movie in the Park, and set up for City on a Hill Brookline’s church service. They also helped us to host a birthday lunch at a local restaurant for our apartment manager, Tom! We are always thankful for the work these teams accomplish and for the encouragement that they continually give us.
3. Brighton Movie in the Park
Emily and I hosted our very first event as City on a Hill Church Brighton in our community last week and it was a great success. We were hoping for 75 people to come and instead God brought us almost 300 people! Emily and I as well as our volunteer team made up of City on a Hill members and neighbors were blown away at the turnout. We had the opportunity to briefly share our three core values with those attending: Gospel, Community, and Mission. And had the privilege of gifting 6 lucky people with gift cards to local businesses. Dozens of people come over to our information table to ask for more details about City on a Hill and to put their names down for an email list for future events we put on. We also had a family attend church the following day who are exploring what it means to know Jesus. We are extremely grateful for those in our community who attended and look forward to serving Brighton again in the near future!
4. Brighton High Teacher Appreciation Luncheon
Emily and I have been in contact with several community centers and schools directly around us in the community of Brighton. Brighton High School is a short walk from our home and educates almost 600 students every day. This school in particular has been through a few difficult years and we desired to support them in whatever way we could. Yesterday we hosted a teacher appreciation luncheon for the 65 or so teachers and staff that persevere everyday to give their students an education and so much more within their classrooms. We pray this lunch was an encouragement to the teachers of Brighton High and that we will be able to build relationships with the teachers to better support them in the future. We are so thankful for the partnership with have found in this school and their willingness to allow us into their establishment. Pray for Brighton High to succeed as a school, for teachers to have the endurance to finish out the school year strong, and for the protection and well-being of the students that attend there.
The Pav family
Be praying for:
1. Breckon and Stephanie Pav
At the end of the month, another family from our church planting launch team will be moving to Boston and we couldn’t be more excited! Pray for the Pav family in the logistics of moving a family of six a thousand miles and especially peace for their hearts in this big transition. We look forward to having them nearby, but also know that this is a big adjustment for their kids in particular. Emily and I are praying for close friends for the kiddos, a smooth transition for Breckon at his new job, and opportunities to spend time with other women in and out of the church for Stephanie.
2. Foster Care Update
Baby K enjoying a day at a local beach in South Boston
Baby K is doing well and adjusting to our home nicely. She eats like a champ and sleeps through the night, so we can’t complain! She is currently cutting four teeth, so you can be praying for her comfort and health as we handle a teething toddler. Baby K’s goal is now for adoption and not reunification with her biological family. Because of that, her case is in the midst of a trial concerning custody and termination of parental rights. Please be praying throughout the next two months for:
-The judge’s wisdom in presiding over a difficult case on where baby K should be placed long-term/permanently.
-Peace for us as we continue to take steps for baby K to be a part of our family. It is our hope to adopt her.
-Kiana’s safety and well-being to be the primary concern for everyone involved in the case.
Thank you for your continual support. We have seen God answer many prayers since we moved almost a year ago and look forward to watching Him move in the future through more kingdom prayers!